Outdoorsman{3 s folding chair

ABSTRACT

A portable and folding chair designed particularly for outdoorsman such as hunters and the like, and which is adaptable to be supported either from a side of a tree or upon a ground; the device consisting of four tubular aluminum U-shaped frames, two center brackets and connecting links, a fabric seat, tie-on belt and rubber stabilizers.

[ Dec. 23, 1975 United States Patent 1191 Wurn et al.

[ OUTDOORSMANS FOLDING CHAIR 2,015,560 9/1935 Iafrate 2,711,783 6 1 P [76] Inventors: Isadore T. Wurn, 43 6 Rudd1man 3,483,999 1 323 2:

Dnve; Louis J. Segum, Box 5092, both of North Muskegon, Mich. 49445 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or FirmPrice, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper [22] Filed: May 24, 1974 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 473,202

A portable and folding chair designed particularly for [52] US. Cl.. 182/187; 108/118 51 1111. A47C 9/10 Putdwsman Such as hunters the Whlch 182N877 188; 1s adaptable to be supported e1ther from a s1de of a Field of Search I 58 og 132; 248/164, 431, 434 9g tree or upon a ground; the device consisting of four tubular aluminum U-shaped frames, two center brackets and connecting links, a fabric seat, tie-on belt and rubber stabilizers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,993,320 Dozier 182/187 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,927,733

Sheet 2 of 3 US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,927,733

FIG. 8

a OUTDOORSMANS FOLDING CHAIR This invention relates generally to outdoorsman equipment. More. specifically the present invention relates to folding chairs. I

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorsmans folding chair of versatile type which can be supported either from a side of a tree or which can be rested upon a ground.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorsmansfolding chair which can be used either as a chair, foot stool or snack table and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorsmans folding chair which would be particularly useful to hunters, campers, scouts, army personnel, picnickers, hikers, snow mobile operators, and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorsmans folding chair which when not in use folds up.into a small compact unit so that it can be easily and comfortably carried over a persons shoulder or upon his back.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an outdoorsmans folding chair which is light in weight and which is strong.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an outdoorsmans folding chair which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efiicient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the present invention shown attached to a side of a tree;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the device shown collapsed and in position for being carried by a person; FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the present invention shown set up standing on a ground;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the present device secured to a side of a tree and being used by a hunter resting there against;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the detailed structure of the center support bracket and tubular framework attached thereto as viewed along the plane VI-VI of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the center bracket and tubular framework as viewed along the plane VIII-VIH of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the center bracket and tubular framework as viewed along the plane IXIX of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the reference numeral 10 represents an outdoorsmans folding chair according to the present invention wherein the same is constructed of four tubular, aluminum U-shaped frame members 11, 12, 13 and 14. These frames are attached at their opposite ends to two center brackets 15, as shown. These frames are secured to the center brackets by means of rivets or other suitable fastening means. Frame members 11 and 12, extending toward the rear and front, respectively, are adapted to support a flexible fabric seat 21 while lower frame members 13 and 14 form supporting legs as will be hereinafter described.

Brackets 15 shown in greater detail in FIGS. 8 and 9 are each generally triangular in plan view configuration, the bases 30 thereof being elongated and having an outwardly extending flange 32 formed thereon and an upwardly extending leg 34. Flange 32 and leg 34 form a channel in which the ends 35 of the legs of the U-shaped frame members 12 and 14 are pivotally mounted by means of rivets or other suitable fastening devices 16b and 16b passing through suitable openings provided in leg 34, base 30 and through elongated slots 17 formed through the walls of the tubular members 12 and 14. It will be noted also that the ends 35 of tubular members 12 and 14 are rounded as shown at 36 (FIGS.

7 and 9) such that lower frame members 12 and 14 may be urged outwardly along slots 17 and pivoted upwardly as shown in the dotted lines of the FIGS. 7 and 9 into a folded or storage position. As shown in FIG. 9, members 12 and 14 are urged toward each other and are in a locked position with respect to the brackets and frame member 11. In locked position, the outer walls of the tubular members are in abutting relationship with the inside bottom wall of flange 32. When members 12 and 14 are moved outwardly, the rounded ends 36 and the slot 17 allow upward pivotal movement about rivets 16b and 16b and into the storage position.

Rear frame member 11 is stationarily secured at its opposite ends toeach of the center brackets 15 by means of two spaced apart rivets 16a and 16a. Rivet 16a passes through suitable openings provided in frame member 11 near the apex 30 of center bracket 15. Rivet 16a (FIGS. 6, 7 and 9) similarly passes through suitable openings provided near the ends 28 of members 11 and through base 30 and leg 34 of center bracket 15.

The U-shaped frame member or leg 13 is mounted on the outside of center bracket 15 for pivotal movement into the several positions as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Leg 13 is mounted at its ends by rivet 16b and a connecting link 18. One end of connecting link 18 is fixed with respect to frame member 11 and bracket 15 by rivet 16a passing through the link, frame member 11 and center bracket 15. The opposite end of link 18 is secured by rivet 16b which additionally serves as the pivot point for frame member 14. Leg 13 has elongated openings or slots 17 (FIG. 7) and concave shaped end portions 37 (FIG. 6) which engage the side walls of the stationary tubular member 11 as will be hereinafter described. Leg 13 is thus shiftable axially over rivet 16b into any of the several positions shown. A bias spring 38 fixed at one of its ends 39 over rivet 16b extends through leg 13 and is secured at its opposite end 40 to a pin 42 fixed through leg 13 a slight distance upwardly from its concave shaped end. Spring 38 urges leg 13 to shift axially with respect to rivet 16b and slot 17 into mating engagement at its end 37 with frame member 11 to assume generally the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Leg 13 may be extended outwardly as shown in the dotted lines of FIG. 2 to extend generally parallel and in the opposite direction from stationary member 11. This is accomplished by shifting leg 13 axially outwardly from stationary member 11 against the bias spring 13 and then rotating it about rivet 16b into the desired position. When leg 13 is extended parallel toand in the opposite direction from stationary member 1 1, the assembly may be placed on the ground to form a camp stool, a table or the like. When attached to a vertical upright as a pole or the like as shown in FIG. 2, leg 13, when extended, forms a convenient footrest.

The brackets are rigidly held in spaced apart position by a center tie bar 19 which at its opposite ends is secured by means of rivets 20 to flange 32 of each of the brackets 15.

A fabric seat 21 is secured at its opposite ends around the central portions of frames 11 and 12, as best shown in FIG. 2.

A tie-on belt 22 is comprised of belt components 23 and 24 each of which is attached around opposite ends of the central portion of frame 11, as is evident in FIG. 1, and the belt components include a buckle 25 so that the components can be secured together as shown.

A pair of rubber stabilizers 26 are bolted through the central leg of frame 14, the stabilizers being spaced apart so to form a saddle there between and within which a cylindrical side of a tree trunk 27 can be rested when the chair is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by being supported from the tree.

It is now evident from the Figures shown, that the present outdoorsmans folding chair 10 can be variously used such as being supported from a side of a tree or for resting upon a ground 28. In either instance, the front frame member 12 and lower frame member or leg 14 having the elongated rivet hole or slots 17 are thus able to be locked in position when set up or unlocked by simply sliding them outwardly with respect to the center bracket 15 such that the frame members can be lifted upwardly into a storage position when folded away as shown in FIG. 3.

Thus there is provided an outdoorsmans folding chair that serves a useful purpose and which can be conveniently transported in an easy manner.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.

What I now claim is:

1. In a portable sportsmans seat having a plurality of generally U-shaped frame members each having a base portion and a pair of legs extending therefrom, said frame members being pivotally mounted at the legs thereof, and a flexible seat surface stretchable between the base of an adjacent pair of said frame members; the improvement comprising:

a pair of bracket members rigidly secured to the legs of a first frame member, each said bracket member having a base portion and an elongated channel formed along one side of said base portion, said leg of said first frame member extending generally perpendicular to said base;

means for mounting said legs of second and third of said frame members in said channel of said bracket member, said second and said third frame members being pivotable between a first position generally parallel to and in abutment with said first frame member and a second position extending generally parallel to said channel in opposite directions from each other;

locking means in said mounting means and said second and third frame members for locking said second and said third frame members in said second position; and

means pivotally mounting said legs of a fourth one of said frame members to the other side of said bracket, said fourth frame member being pivotal between a first position generally parallel to said first frame member, a second position generally parallel to said third frame member, and a third position parallel to said first frame member and extending in the opposite direction therefrom.

2. The combination of claim 1 and further including first and second flexible strap members extending from said U-shaped portion of said first frame member; and means for fastening the ends of said strap members together whereby said apparatus can be secured to a vertical support.

3. The combination of claim 2 and further including a pair of support engaging members secured to said base portion of said third frame member, said engaging members being adapted to engage a vertical support member.

4. The combination of claim 2 and further including locking means on said fourth frame member, said locking means being adapted to lock said fourth member in said first and in said third positions.

5. The combination of claim 4 and further including biasing means on said bracket member and said fourth frame member, said biasing means urging said frame member into engagement with said locking means in said first and said third positions.

6. A portable sportsmans seat comprising:

first and second generally U-shaped frame members, each said frame member having a base portion and a pair of spaced apart generally parallel legs extending therefrom;

a flexible seat member secured at said base portions of each of said first and said second frame members and stretchable therebetween;

a pair of spaced apart bracket members positioned at the ends of said legs of said first and said second frame members;

means rigidly securing said first frame member to said bracket members;

means pivotally securing said legs of said second frame member to said bracket member, said second frame member being pivotal between a first position in generally parallel alignment with said first frame member and a second position generally perpendicular thereto, said flexible seat member being stretched therebetween in said second position;

locking means in said second frame member and said bracket member for locking said second frame member in said second position;

a third generally U-shaped frame member having a base portion and a pair of support legs extending therefrom;

means pivotally securing said third frame member support legs to said bracket member, said third frame member being shiftable between a first position generally parallel to said first frame member and a second position generally perpendicular thereto and extending in the opposite direction from said first frame member;

second locking means in said bracket member and said third frame member support legs for locking said third frame member in said second position;

a fourth generally U-shaped frame member having a base portion and a pair of support legs extending therefrom; and

means pivotally securing said first frame member support legs to said bracket member, said fourth frame member being shiftable between a first position generally parallel and adjacent said first frame erally parallel to said first frame member and extending in the opposite direction therefrom. 

1. In a portable sportsman''s seat having a plurality of generally U-shaped frame members each having a base portion and a pair of legs extending therefrom, said frame members being pivotally mounted at the legs thereof, and a flexible seat surface stretchable between the base of an adjacent pair of said frame members; the improvement comprising: a pair of bracket members rigidly secured to the legs of a first frame member, each said bracket member having a base portion and an elongated channel formed along one side of said base portion, said leg of said first frame member extending generally perpendicular to said base; means for mounting said legs of second and third of said frame members in said channel of said bracket member, said second and said third frame members being pivotable between a first position generally parallel to and in abutment with said first frame member and a second position extending generally parallel to said channel in opposite directions from each other; locking means in said mounting means and said second and third frame members for locking said second and said third frame members in said second position; and means pivotally mounting said legs of a fourth one of said frame members to the other side of said bracket, said fourth frame member being pivotal between a first position generally parallel to said first frame member, a second position generally parallel to said third frame member, and a third position parallel to said first frame member and extending in the opposite direction therefrom.
 2. The combination of clam 1 and further including first and second flexible strap members extending from said U-shaped portion of said first frame member; and means for fastening the ends of said strap members together whereby said apparatus can be secured to a vertical support.
 3. The combination of claim 2 and further including a pair of support engaging members secured to said base portion of said third frame member, said engaging members being adapted to engage a vertical support member.
 4. The combination of claim 2 and further including locking means on said fourth frame member, said locking means being adapted to lock said fourth member in said first and in said third positions.
 5. The combination of claim 4 and furtheR including biasing means on said bracket member and said fourth frame member, said biasing means urging said frame member into engagement with said locking means in said first and said third positions.
 6. A portable sportsman''s seat comprising: first and second generally U-shaped frame members, each said frame member having a base portion and a pair of spaced apart generally parallel legs extending therefrom; a flexible seat member secured at said base portions of each of said first and said second frame members and stretchable therebetween; a pair of spaced apart bracket members positioned at the ends of said legs of said first and said second frame members; means rigidly securing said first frame member to said bracket members; means pivotally securing said legs of said second frame member to said bracket member, said second frame member being pivotal between a first position in generally parallel alignment with said first frame member and a second position generally perpendicular thereto, said flexible seat member being stretched therebetween in said second position; locking means in said second frame member and said bracket member for locking said second frame member in said second position; a third generally U-shaped frame member having a base portion and a pair of support legs extending therefrom; means pivotally securing said third frame member support legs to said bracket member, said third frame member being shiftable between a first position generally parallel to said first frame member and a second position generally perpendicular thereto and extending in the opposite direction from said first frame member; second locking means in said bracket member and said third frame member support legs for locking said third frame member in said second position; a fourth generally U-shaped frame member having a base portion and a pair of support legs extending therefrom; and means pivotally securing said first frame member support legs to said bracket member, said fourth frame member being shiftable between a first position generally parallel and adjacent said first frame member, a second position generally perpendicular to said first frame member and generally parallel to said third frame member, and a third position generally parallel to said first frame member and extending in the opposite direction therefrom. 